WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/GC/86 
12 January 2005 
 (05-0131) 
  
  
GENERAL COUNCIL 
 
Annual Report (2004
) 
  
 The present report has been prepared in pursu ance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview 
of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WT O (WT/L/105), and sets out the actions taken by 
the General Council in the period since its previous annual report.
1 
  In carrying out its tasks, the General Council has held 6 meetings since the period covered by 
the previous report.  The minutes of these meetings , which remain the record of the General Council's 
work, are contained in documents WT/GC/M/85 - 90. 
  The following subjects are included in the report:  
1.
 Work under the Doha Work Programme...............................................................................3  
(a) Trade Negotiations Committee – Reports ..................................................................................3  
(b) Statement by the General Council Chai rman on his recent consultations .................................4  
(c) Implementation of Paragraph 6 of the Doha  Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and 
Public Health - Follow-up to the General Council Decision – Statement by the Chairman of the TRIPS Council ................................................................................................4
 
(d) Review under Paragraph 8 of the Decision on  the Implementation of Paragraph 6 of 
the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreem ent and Public Health – Report of the 
Council for TRIPS ............................................................................................................. ........5  
(e) Draft General Council Decision on the Doha  Work Programme - Statement by the 
Chairman ...................................................................................................................... ..............5  
(f) Follow-up to the July General Council D ecision on the Doha Work Programme – 
Report by the Director-General on the Deve lopment Assistance Aspects of Cotton ................6  
(g) Work Programme on Small Economies – Reports ....................................................................6  
(h) Rules of Origin – Harmonization Work Programme .................................................................7  
2. Date of the Sixth Session of the Ministerial Conference .......................................................8  
3. China – Transitional review under Section 18.2 of the Protocol on Accession to 
the WTO Ag reement ............................................................................................................. ...8 
4. Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions..................................................................9  
(a) Consultation with Bangladesh .................................................................................................. .9 
(b) Note on meeting of 29 November...............................................................................................9  
                                                      
1 The annual report of the General Council for 2003 was circulated in WT/GC/70/Add.1 and 
WT/GC/76. WT/GC/86 
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 5.
 Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration – Reports and 
recommendations ............................................................................................................... ......9  
6. Accession Matters .............................................................................................................. .....10  
(a) Afghanistan ................................................................................................................... ...........10  
(b) Algeria ....................................................................................................................... ..............10  
(c) Belarus ....................................................................................................................... ..............11  
(d) Cambodia ...................................................................................................................... ...........11  
(e) Iran .......................................................................................................................... .................11  
(f) Iraq .......................................................................................................................... .................13  
(g) People's Democratic Republic of Lao ......................................................................................13  
(h) Libya ......................................................................................................................... ...............14  
(i) Uzbekistan .................................................................................................................... ...........14  
(j) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ...............................................................................................1 4 
7. Waivers under Article IX of  the WTO Agreement..............................................................15  
(a) Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 Changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions .................................................................................................................... ..........15  
(i) Israel, Malaysia and Panama ..................................................................................................1 5 
(ii) Argentina and Israel .......................................................................................................... ......15  
(b) Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions ................................................................................................................... ..........15  
(c) Senegal – Request for waiver on minimum va lues in regard to the Agreement on the 
Implementation of Article  VII of GATT 1994 ........................................................................16  
(d) Albania – Implementation of specific commitments in telecommunications services – 
Request for a waiver .......................................................................................................... ......16  
(e) Reviews of waivers pursuant to Artic le IX:4 of the WTO Agreement ....................................16  
8. Coherence in global economic policy- making and cooperation between the 
WTO, IMF and World Bank ................................................................................................17  
9. Trade financing for developing countries during periods of financial crisis ....................18  
10. Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance – Statement by the Chairman of 
the Working Group on the availability of trade finance for developing countries ..........18  
11. Trade Integration Mechanism of the International Monetary Fund – Presentation by the Acting Managing-Director of the IMF ...............................................18
 
12. Graduation of the Maldives from the UN list of Least-Developed Countries ..................19  
13. Statement by Cuba ............................................................................................................. ....19  
14. Enlargement of the European Union ....................................................................................19  
(a) Claims of interest of Ecuador and negotia tions for the enlargement of the European 
Union ......................................................................................................................... ..............19  
(b) Communication from the European Communities ..................................................................19   WT/GC/86 
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 15. Non-recognition of rights under Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of GATT 
1994 – Communication from Honduras and Guatemala ...................................................20  
16. Draft UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural 
Content and Artist ic Expressions .........................................................................................20  
17. Digital archiving of GATT official documents and certain GATT internal 
records ....................................................................................................................... ..............21  
18. 10th Anniversary of the WTO ................................................................................................21  
19. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO ......................................................................21  
20. WTO Pension Plan............................................................................................................... ...21 
(a) Management Board............................................................................................................... ....21  
(i) Election of Chairperson ....................................................................................................... ....22  
(ii) Election of member ............................................................................................................ ......22  
(b) Annual Report ................................................................................................................. .........22  
(c) Agreement on the Transfer of Pension Right s of Participants in the United Nations 
Joint Staff Pension Fund and of Partic ipants in the WTO Pension Plan .................................22  
21. Observer stat us - Iraq ........................................................................................................ ....23  
22. Appointment of the ne xt Director-General .........................................................................23  
23. Appointment of Officers to WTO bodies and review of Chairmanships of bodies 
under the TNC ................................................................................................................. ......23  
24. Review of WTO activities ...................................................................................................... 26 
25. Election of Chairperson ....................................................................................................... ..26 
 
 
1. Work under the Doha Work Programme 
(a) Trade Negotiations Committee – Reports (WT/GC/M/86, 87, 88, 90)  
 Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the 
General Council to supervise th e overall conduct of the negotiati ons (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1).  In 
accordance with the Principles and Practices endor sed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its 
first meeting on 28 January and 1 February 2002, the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the 
General Council (TN/C/M/1).   At the General Council meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, at the Chairman's suggestion, the report 
by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committ ee was taken up together with a statement by the 
General Council Chairman on his r ecent consultations (see Point (b) below), and the discussion is 
reflected accordingly in this Report and in the Minutes of the meeting.   At the General Council meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, at the Chairman's suggestion, 
the report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee was taken up together with a draft 
General Council Decision on the Doha Work Programme  (see Point (e) below), and the discussion is 
reflected accordingly in this Report and in the Minutes of the meeting.  WT/GC/86 
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  At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the Director-General, as Chairman of 
the Trade Negotiations Committee, reported on the TNC' s activities since his last report to the General 
Council.   The representatives of Tanzania (on behalf of  the LDCs) and Nigeria (on behalf of the 
African Group) spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the Direct or-General's report and of the statements. 
  At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004
, the Director-General, as Chairman of 
the Trade Negotiations Committee, reported on the TNC' s activities since his last report to the General 
Council.  He also made an interim report on the wo rk he had been undertaking, as Director-General, 
on outstanding implementation issues in line with the July Council Decision on the Doha Work 
Programme.  
 The representatives of Switzerland, Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group), Zambia (on 
behalf of the LDCs), Kenya, Lesot ho, Chile, Australia, Turkey, Trinid ad and Tobago (on behalf of the 
ACP Group), Bulgaria and the European Communities spoke.   The General Council took note of the Direct or-General's report and of the statements. 
 
(b) Statement by the General Council Chairman on his recent consultations (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At the General Council meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, at the Chairman's suggestion, this matter 
was taken up together with a report by the Chairm an of the Trade Negotiations Committee (referred to 
in Point (a) above). 
 
 The Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Comm ittee reported on the twelfth meeting of the 
TNC held on 21 April, and shared with the memb ership his sense of the developments since that 
date.2   
  The Chairman then reported on his recent cons ultations regarding work under the Doha Work 
Programme.
3 
  The representatives of Romania, United States,  European Communities, India, Singapore, 
Argentina, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Turkey, Ko rea, Japan, Senegal, China, Cuba, Pakistan, 
Malaysia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Kenya, Costa Rica , Chile and Hong Kong, China and the Chairman 
of the Special Session of the Committee on Agricultu re, the Chairman of the Special Session of the 
Council for Trade in Services, the Dir ector-General and the Chairman spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the statements.  (c) Implementation of Paragraph 6 of the Doha D eclaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public 
Health - Follow-up to the General Council Deci sion – Statement by the Chairman of the 
TRIPS Council (WT/GC/M/87) 
 In August 2003, the General Council adopt ed a Decision on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TR IPS Agreement and Public Health (WT/L/540).  
                                                     
 
2 The opening and closing statements by the Direct or-General and the General Council Chairman were 
circulated as JOB(04)/50. 
3 Idem .  WT/GC/86 
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 Paragraph 11 of that Decision foreshadowed work  by the TRIPS Council on the preparation of an 
amendment to the TRIPS Agreement.   At the General Council meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the Chairman of the TRIPS 
Council reported on arrangements in the TRIPS Counc il for finalizing work on the preparation of an 
amendment to the TRIPS Agreement to replace the provisions of the Decision on the Implementation 
of Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.   
  The General Council took note of the statement by the Chairman of the TRIPS Council.  
(d) Review under Paragraph 8 of the Decision on the Implementation of Para graph 6 of the Doha 
Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public  Health – Report of the Council for TRIPS 
(WT/GC/M/90) 
 Paragraph 8 of the General Council Decisi on of August 2003 on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TR IPS Agreement and Public Health (WT/L/540) 
provides that the TRIPS Council shall review annually  the functioning of the system set out in the 
Decision with a view to ensuring its effective opera tion, and shall annually report on its operation to 
the General Council.  The Decision also provides that the review by the TRIPS Council shall be 
deemed to fulfil the review requirement of Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement. 
  At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered a report by the TRIPS 
Council on its first review under Paragraph 8 of the General Council Decision (IP/C/33). 
  The Chairman of the TRIPS Council introduced the report.   The representative of Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group) spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the report of the TRIPS Council and of the statements. 
 (e) Draft General Council Decision on the Doha Work Programme - Statement by the Chairman 
(WT/GC/M/87) 
 At the General Council meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, at the Chairman's suggestion, 
this matter was taken up together with a report by  the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee 
(referred to in Point (a) above).   The Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee reported on the most recent meeting of the TNC held on 30 June, and made a few genera l observations regarding work under the DDA over 
the past months.   
  The representatives of Peru (also on behalf of  Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El 
Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Pana ma), Honduras, Venezuela, Bulgaria, Cuba and 
Malaysia, and the Chairpersons of the Special S essions of the Committee on Agriculture and of the 
Council for Trade in Services, and the Chairman spoke. 
 
 The Chairman then formally presented for th e General Council's consideration and adoption a 
draft Decision on the Doha Work Programme cont ained in document WT/GC/W/535 and Corr.1.  On 
the basis of the general acquiescence expressed at an informal meeting of Heads of Delegation held 
immediately prior to the formal meeting, he pr oposed that the General Council adopt the draft 
Decision in WT/GC/W/535 and Corr.1. WT/GC/86 
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  The General Council so agreed.
4 
  The representatives of Switzerland (partly also on behalf of the G-10), Norway, Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group), Kenya, Paraguay, Rw anda (on behalf of the African Union), Panama, 
Jamaica (partly also on behalf of Belize), Philippi nes, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia (partly also on 
behalf of the G-33), Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh, Tan zania (on behalf of the LDCs), Zambia, Croatia 
(also on behalf of Albania, Georgia, Jordan, Mold ova and Oman), Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, 
Barbados, Bolivia, Cuba, El Salva dor, India, Honduras, Korea, Senegal, and Hong Kong, China and 
the Chairman spoke.  
 The General Council took note of the statements. 
 (f) Follow-up to the July General Council Decision on the Doha Work Programme – Report by 
the Director-General on the Development Assistance Aspects of Cotton (WT/GC/M/90) 
 In Paragraph 1.b of the July Decision on the Doha Work Programme (WT/L/579), the 
General Council, inter alia , took note of the bilateral and multilateral efforts to make progress on the 
development assistance aspects of the Cotton Initiativ e, and instructed the Secretariat to continue 
work with the development community to provide  the Council with periodic reports on relevant 
developments.  The Council also instructed the Direct or-General to consult with  relevant international 
organizations, including the Brett on Woods Institutions, the Food and Agriculture Organization and 
the International Trade Centre, to direct effectiv ely existing programmes and any additional resources 
towards development of the economies where cotton has vital importance. 
 
 At the General Council m eeting on 13 December 2004
, the Director-General introduced a 
report on the development assistance aspects of cotton (WT/GC/83 and Add.1).  
 The representatives of the United States, Benin, Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group), 
Burkina Faso, Paraguay, Senegal, Uganda, Côte  d'Ivoire, European Communities and Mali spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the report by the Director-General and of the statements. 
 (g) Work Programme on Small Economies – Reports (WT/GC/M/85, 86, 87, 88, 90) 
 Ministers at Doha agreed to a work programme , under the auspices of the General Council, to 
examine issues relating to the trade of small econom ies, with a mandate to frame responses to the 
trade-related issues identified for the fuller inte gration of small, vulnerable economies into the 
multilateral trading system and not to create a sub-category of WTO Members.  (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 35).  At its meet ing in February and March 2002, the General 
Council took note of a framework and procedures fo r the conduct of the Work Programme on Small 
Economies, under which this Work Programme w ould be a standing item on the General Council's 
agenda.  The framework and procedures also pr ovided that the Committee on Trade and Development 
would report regularly to the General Council on th e progress of work in its Dedicated Sessions on 
this subject.  
 At the General Council m eeting on 11 February 2004
, the Chairman of the Dedicated Session 
of the CTD reported on the work in the De dicated Session regarding the Work Programme. 
  The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the CTD. 
 
                                                     
 
4 The Decision was subsequen tly circulated as WT/L/579.  WT/GC/86 
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  At the General Council meeting on 17-18 May 2004 , the Chairman of the Dedicated Session 
of the CTD reported further on the work in the Dedicated Session regarding the Work Programme. 
  The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the CTD. 
 
 At the General Council meeti ng on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the Chairman of the 
Dedicated Session of the CTD reported further on th e work in the Dedicated Session regarding the 
Work Programme.  
 The representative of Paraguay spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the CTD and of the statement.  
 At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the Chairman of the Dedicated Session 
of the CTD reported further on the work in the Dedicated Session regarding the Work Programme. 
  The representatives of Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay spoke.   The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the 
CTD and of the statements. 
   At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004
, the Chairman of the Dedicated 
Session of the CTD reported further on the work in the Dedicated Session regarding the Work 
Programme. 
 
 The representatives Paraguay, Bolivia, Gu atemala, Jamaica and Mauritius spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the CTD and of the statements.  
(h) Rules of Origin – Harmonization Work Programme (WT/GC/M/87) 
 In July 2003, the General Council agreed to further extend to July 2004 the deadline for 
completion of negotiations on the core policy issues identified in a report by the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Rules of Origin to the General Council of  15 July 2002, and also  agreed that, following 
resolution of these core policy issues, the Commi ttee on Rules of Origin complete its remaining 
technical work, including th e work referred to in Article 9.3(b) of the Agreement on Rules of Origin, 
by 31 December 2004.   At the General Council meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the Chairman recalled that 
since the December 2002 meeting of the General Council, at the request and on behalf of the Chair of 
the General Council, this work had been pursued in informal consultations by the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Rules of Origin. 
  The Chairperson of the Committee on Rules of Origin reported on the progress in her 
consultations since July 2003.  
 The Chairman proposed, in the light of th e report from the CRO Chair and the views of 
delegations in the consultations, that the Gene ral Council extend to July 2005 the deadline for 
completion of negotiations on the core policy issu es identified in the CRO Chair's report to the 
General Council in July 2002 (G/RO/52).  He also  proposed that following resolution of these core WT/GC/86 
Page 8  
 
 policy issues, the Committee on Rules of Origin co mplete its remaining work concerning the overall 
architecture and technical issues, as well as the overall coherence exercise referred to in Article 9.3(b) 
of the Agreement on Rules of Origin, by 31 December 2005.   The representatives of India, United States and the Philippines spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to the Chairman's proposals.  
2. Date of the Sixth Session of the Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/85, 87, 88) 
 In August 2003, the General Council consid ered a communication from Hong Kong, China 
offering to host the Sixth Session of the Ministerial Conference.  At the Cancún Ministerial 
Conference in September 2003, Ministers took note with appreciation of the offer from Hong Kong, China and requested that the General Council Chai rman continue consulta tions with a view to 
determining the date and venue of the Sixth Session.   In October 2003, the General Council formally 
agreed to accept the generous offer of the Govern ment of Hong Kong, China and also that further 
consultations be held regarding the date of the Session. 
  At its meeting on 11 February 2004
, the General Council considered a communication from 
the United States (WT/GC/78) concerning the date of the Sixth Session.   The representatives of the United States, Chile , Canada, Malaysia, European Communities, 
Morocco, China, Thailand, Singapore, Jamaica, Cuba, Colombia, Hungary and Hong Kong, China 
and the Chairman spoke.   The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this item at a future 
meeting. 
 
 At the General Council meeti ng on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the representative of Hong 
Kong, China updated Members on his authorities' preparations for the Sixth Session.   The General Council took note of the statement.  
 At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the Chairman recalled that in July, in its 
Decision on the Doha Work Programme (WT/L/579), the General Council had agreed that the Sixth 
Session would be held in December 2005, and said that it now remained for Members to agree on the 
precise date of the Session.  
 The representative of Hong Kong, China spoke. 
  The Chairman proposed, in the light of the st atement by Hong Kong, China, that the General 
Council agree that the Sixth Session of the Minister ial Conference be held on 13-18 December 2005. 
  The General Council took note of the statements and so agreed. 
 
3. China – Transitional review under Section 18.2 of the Protocol on Accession to the WTO 
Agreement (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council conduc ted its third review of 
China's implementation of the WTO Agreement and th e provisions of the Protocol of Accession.  In 
so doing, the General Council considered a comm unication from China (WT/GC/84) which provided 
information required under Sections I and III of Annex 1A of the Prot ocol of Accession, as well as  WT/GC/86 
 Page 9 
 
 
 reports from subsidiary bodies on their resp ective reviews (G/L/722, S/C/23, IP/C/34, 
WT/BOP/R/75).   The representatives of China, United States, Zambia, European Communities and Kenya, and 
the Chairman spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements and of the report submitted by China as well 
as the reports of subsidiary bodies on the conduct of th eir respective reviews, and agreed that the third 
review by the General Council of China's implem entation of the WTO Agreement and the provisions 
of its Protocol of Accession had been concluded. 
 
4. Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions 
(a) Consultation with Bangladesh (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004
, Mr. De Vito (Italy), speaking on 
behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Bala nce-of-Payments Restrictions, introduced the 
Committee's report on its consultation with Bangladesh (WT/BOP/R/76). 
  The General Council took note of the statement and adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/76.  (b) Note on Meeting of 29 November (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004
, Mr. De Vito (Italy), speaking on 
behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Bala nce-of-Payments Restrictions, introduced the 
Committee's Note on its meeting of 29 November (WT/BOP/R/77).   The General Council took note of the statement a nd of the information contained in the Note 
in WT/BOP/R/77. 
 
5. Committee on Budget, Finance and Admini stration – Reports and recommendations 
(WT/GC/M/86, 87, 90) 
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the General Council considered  reports by the Committee 
on Budget, Finance and Administration on its meet ings of November and December 2003, and of 
April 2004 (WT/BFA/71 and 72). 
 
 The Chairman of the Committee introduced the reports.   The General Council took note of the statem ent, approved the Budget Committee's specific 
recommendations in paragraphs 12 a nd 30 of its report in WT/BFA/72, and adopted the reports in 
WT/BFA/71 and 72. 
  At its meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the General Council considered a report by the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration on its meeting of June 2004 (WT/BFA/73).   The Chairman of the Committee introduced the report. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statem ent, approved the Budget Committee's specific 
recommendations in paragraphs 10 and 12 of its report in WT/BFA/73, and adopted the report. 
 WT/GC/86 
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  At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered the recommendations 
of the Committee resulting from the Committee's mee tings of October, November and December 
(WT/BFA/75).   The Chairman of the Committee introduced the recommendations. 
 
 The representative of Japan spoke.   The General Council took note of the statem ents and approved the Budget Committee's 
specific recommendations in document WT/BFA/75. 
 
 The Chairman of the Committee, the Di rector-General and the Chairman spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the statements. 
 
6. Accession Matters 
(a) Afghanistan (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered communications from 
Afghanistan (WT/ACC/AFG/1 and 2) concerning its interest in acceding to the WTO Agreement 
pursuant to Article XII.  
 The Chairman recalled that this request was on the Agenda for consideration on the basis of 
consultations he had held recently with a large num ber of delegations, includi ng the coordinators of 
regional and other groupings.  He said that if delega tions were agreeable to considering this request 
positively, he would propose for their considerati on that the General Council agree to establish a 
Working Party, with terms of reference and membership  that he read out, and that he be authorized to 
designate the Chairperson of the Working Party in  consultation with representatives of Members and 
with the representative of Afghanistan.   The General Council agreed to establish a Work ing Party with the terms of reference and 
composition as read out by the Chairman.  
The Chairman then invited the representative of  Afghanistan to consult with the Accessions 
Division of the Secretariat as to further procedur es, in particular with regard to the basic 
documentation to be considered by the Working Party.   He also invited Afghanistan, on behalf of the 
General Council, to attend meetings of the Gene ral Council and, as appropria te, meetings of other 
WTO bodies as an observer during the period when the Working Party was carrying out its work. 
 The representatives of Afghanistan (as an observer), United States, Turkey, European 
Communities, Australia, Morocco, Japan, Paraguay,  Canada, Kuwait (also on behalf of Bahrain, 
United Arab Emirates, Qatar a nd Oman) and Barbados spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the statem ents and of the expressions of welcome and 
support for Afghanistan. 
 
(b) Algeria (WT/GC/M/86) 
In June 1987, the GATT 1947 Council established a Working Party to examine Algeria's 
request for accession to the General Agreement on Tari ffs and Trade.  Subsequently, in pursuance of a 
decision regarding requests fo r WTO accession adopted by the WTO General Council in  WT/GC/86 
 Page 11 
 
 
 January 19955, the GATT 1947 Accession Working Party was transformed into a WTO Accession 
Working Party.   At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the Chairman informed the General Council that 
Mr. Valles (Uruguay) had agreed to chair the Worki ng Party on the Accession of Algeria to replace 
Mr. Perez del Castillo (Uruguay) who had retired as Chair. 
  The General Council took note of this information.  (c) Belarus (WT/GC/M/90) 
In October 1993, the GATT 1947 Council establishe d a Working Party to examine the request 
of Belarus for accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.  Subsequently, in pursuance 
of a decision regarding requests for WTO accession adopted by the WTO General Council in January 1995
6, the GATT 1947 Accession Working Party was transformed into a WTO Accession 
Working Party. 
 
 At its meeting on 13 December 2004 , the Chairman informed the General Council that 
following consultations between the respective Working Party members and the authorities of 
Belarus, and in accordance with usual WTO practice,  it had been agreed that Ms. Horn Af Rantzien 
(Sweden)  would replace the outgoing Chair, Mr. Manhusen (Sweden). 
 
 The General Council took note of this information. 
 (d) Cambodia (WT/GC/M/85) 
 In September 2003, the Cancún Ministerial C onference adopted a Decision (WT/MIN(03)/18) 
authorizing Cambodia to accede to the WTO Agre ement under terms set out in its Protocol of 
Accession (WT/MIN(03)/18).  As set out in its paragraph 7, the Protocol was open for acceptance by 
Cambodia until 31 March 2004.   At its meeting on 11 February 2004
, the General Council considered a communication from 
Cambodia (WT/GC/77) requesting an extension of  the time-limit for acceptance of its Protocol of Accession until 30 September 2004, and a related draf t decision to this effect (WT/GC/W/525). 
 
 The General Council adopted the Decision (WT/L/561).   The representatives of the Philippines (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Cambodia (as an observer), Cuba and Japan spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements.  (e) Iran (WT/GC/M/85, 86, 87, 88, 90) 
 A communication from Iran requesting accession to the WTO Agreement (WT/ACC/IRN/1) 
was first considered by the General Council in May 2001 at the request of Egypt on behalf of the 
Informal Group of Developing Countries, and at each subsequent meeting of the General Council  
since then.     At its meeting on 11 February 2004
, the General Council again considered this matter. 
                                                      
5 WT/GC/M/1, Item 4(g). 
6 Idem . WT/GC/86 
Page 12  
 
  The representatives of the United States, Tan zania (on behalf of the Informal Group of 
Developing Countries), European Communities, China,  Cuba, Malaysia, India, Venezuela, Pakistan, 
Switzerland, Indonesia, Haiti and New Zealand spoke.  
The Chairman said it would be his intention to in form his successor in detail of the contents 
of this discussion, and that he was certain that the latter would take the necessary steps to continue to 
discuss this issue together with delegations  before the next General Council meeting. 
 The General Council took note of the statements a nd agreed to revert to this matter at its next 
meeting.  
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the General Council again considered this matter.  The 
Chairman informed Members of the results of his in itial consultations regard ing Iran's request with a 
group of delegations in April, which had incl uded the coordinator of the Informal Group of 
Developing Countries.  
 The representatives of the United States, Sri Lanka (on behalf of the Informal Group of 
Developing Countries), Turkey, European Communities,  India, China, Cuba, Switzerland, Malaysia 
and Egypt spoke.   The Chairman, in the light of the discussion, pr oposed that he continue his consultations, and 
that the General Council revert to this matter. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements and so agreed.   At its meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the General Council again considered this 
matter.  The Chairman informed Members of his fu rther consultations on this request on 7 July, to 
which he had invited all the dele gations who had spoken on this s ubject at the February and May 
Council meetings.     The representatives of the United States, Tan zania (on behalf of the Informal Group of 
Developing Countries), Malaysia, Egypt, Cuba, Turkey, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, European Communities, Oman, Venezuela, India, D jibouti, Switzerland and Norway spoke. 
 
 The Chairman said that, in the light of the positions expressed at that meeting, he would remain in contact with delegations and reflect on the best way to proceed.   The General Council took note of the statements a nd agreed to revert to this matter at its next 
meeting. 
  At its meeting on 10 October 2004
, the General Council again considered this matter.  The 
Chairman informed Members of his further consulta tions on this request on 18 October, to which he 
had invited all the delegations w ho had spoken on this subject at th e February, May and July Council 
meetings.   
 
 The representatives of the United States, Paraguay (on behalf of the Informal Group of Developing Countries), Malaysia, China, Cuba, Indonesi a, Pakistan, Venezuela, Turkey, India, Nepal, 
European Communities and Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group) spoke.  
 The Chairman proposed, in the light of the vi ews expressed, that he continue his consultations 
and that the General Council revert to  this matter at its next meeting. 
  The General Council took note of the statements and so agreed.  WT/GC/86 
 Page 13 
 
 
  At its meeting on 13 December 2004 , the General Council again cons idered this matter.  The 
Chairman informed Members of his further consulta tions on this request on 1 December, to which he 
had invited all the delegations who had spoken on this subject at previous Council meetings. 
  The representatives of United States, Paraguay (on behalf of the Informal Group of 
Developing Countries), Turkey, Egypt, China, Eu ropean Communities, Indonesia, India, Cuba, 
Switzerland, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Chile, Pakistan and Venezuela. 
  The Chairman proposed, in the light of the vi ews expressed, that he continue his consultations 
and that the General Council revert to  this matter at its next meeting. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements and so agreed.  (f) Iraq (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered a communication from 
Iraq (WT/ACC/IRQ/1) concerning its interest in acceding to the WTO Agreement pursuant to 
Article XII.   The Chairman recalled that this request was on the Agenda for consideration on the basis of 
consultations he had held recently with a large num ber of delegations, includi ng the coordinators of 
regional and other groupings.  He said that if delega tions were agreeable to considering this request 
positively, he would propose for their considerati on that the General Council agree to establish a 
Working Party, with terms of reference and membership  that he read out, and that he be authorized to 
designate the Chairperson of the Working Party in  consultation with representatives of Members and 
with the representative of Iraq.  
 The General Council agreed to establish a Work ing Party with the terms of reference and 
composition as proposed by the Chairman.  
The Chairman then invited the representative of  Iraq to consult with the Accessions Division 
of the Secretariat as to further procedures, in par ticular with regard to the basic documentation to be 
considered by the Working Party. 
 The representatives of Iraq (as an observe r), United States, Jordan, Turkey, European 
Communities, Bulgaria, Australia, Morocco, Japan, Paraguay, Canada, Kuwait (also on behalf of 
Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qata r and Oman) and Barbados spoke.   
  The General Council took note of the statem ents and of the expressions of welcome and 
support for Iraq. 
 (g) People's Democratic Republic of Lao (WT/GC/M/86) 
In February 1998, the General Council establishe d a Working Party to examine the request of 
the People's Democratic Republic of Lao for accession to the WTO Agreement. 
 
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the Chairman informed the General Council that 
Mr. Groser (New Zealand) had agreed to chai r the Working Party on the Accession of Lao PDR to 
replace Mr. Raby (Australia) who had retired as Chair.   The General Council took note of this information. 
 WT/GC/86 
Page 14  
 
 (h) Libya (WT/GC/M/87) 
 At its meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the General Council considered 
communications from Libya (WT/ACC/LBY/1 and 2) requesting accession to the WTO Agreement pursuant to Article XII.  
 The Chairman said that he had had a number of informal contacts with a range of Members in 
recent weeks, including with coordinators of WTO groupings, with regard to Libya's request.  His 
understanding from these contacts wa s that there was a positive sense overall with regard to Libya's 
request for accession, in a way that would allow the General Council to take positive action at that 
meeting.  He accordingly proposed that the Genera l Council agree to establish a Working Party, with 
terms of reference and membership that he read out, and that he be authorized to designate the 
Chairperson of the Working Party in consultati on with representative of Members and with the 
representative of Libya.   The General Council agreed to establish a Work ing Party with the terms of reference and 
composition as proposed by the Chairman. 
 
The Chairman then invited the representative of Libya to consult with the Accessions 
Division of the Secretariat as to further procedur es, in particular with regard to the basic 
documentation to be considered by the Working Part y.  He also invited Libya, on behalf of the 
General Council, to attend meetings of the Gene ral Council and, as appropria te, meetings of other 
WTO bodies as an observer during the period when the Working Party was carrying out its work. 
 The representatives of Libya (as an observer), Ni geria, Egypt, Tanzania (on behalf of the 
Informal Group of Developing Countries), Morocco, Tunisia, Canada, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, Cuba Mauritania, Lesotho, India, Norway a nd Malaysia, and the Chairman spoke.   
 
 The representatives of Albania, Angola, Austra lia, Bahrain, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, 
China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djib outi, European Communities, Madagascar, Mexico, 
New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Turkey, United Arab 
Emirates, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe wished  to be placed on record as also having welcomed 
and supported the establishment of a working party on the accession of Libya.  
 The General Council took note of the statem ents and of the expressions of welcome and 
support for Libya.  (i) Uzbekistan (WT/GC/M/86) 
In December 1994, the Prepar atory Committee to the WTO ag reed to establish a Working 
Party to examine Uzbekistan's request  for accession to the WTO Agreement. 
  At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the Chairman informed the General Council that 
Mr. Choi (Korea) had agreed to chair the Worki ng Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan to replace 
Mr. Supperamaniam (Malaysia) who had retired as Chair.  
 The General Council took note of this information. 
 (j) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (WT/GC/M/85) 
At the General Council meeting on 11 February 2004
, the Chairman recalled that on 
9 February 2001, the General Council had agreed  to establish a Working Party to examine the 
application from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavi a to accede to the WTO Agreement.  Following  WT/GC/86 
 Page 15 
 
 
 the adoption and promulgation of the Constituti onal Charter of Serbia and Montenegro on 
4 February 2003, the name of the State of the Fe deral Republic of Yugoslavi a had been changed to 
"Serbia and Montenegro".  In all other respects , the conditions under which the Working Party had 
been established, and its terms of reference, remained unaffected.  In the light of this, he proposed that 
the General Council take note that the Working Part y on the Accession of the Federal Republic of 
Yugoslavia would be renamed the Working Party on  the Accession of Serbia and Montenegro, with 
immediate effect. 
 The General Council took note of the statement. 
 
7. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement 
(a) Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 Changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions 
(i) Israel, Malaysia and Panama (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004 , the General Council considered requests for waivers from 
Israel (G/L/670), Malaysia (G/L/676) and Panama  (G/L/672) for the introduction of Harmonized 
System 1996 changes into schedules of tariff conces sion, and related draft decisions in documents 
G/C/W/482, 485 and 483, respectively.   The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of these 
requests by that Council.  
 The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decisions (WT/L/568 – Israel, WT/L /569 – Malaysia and WT/L/570 – Panama). 
 
(ii) Argentina and Israel (WT/GC/M/88) 
 At its meeting on 20 October 2004
, the General Council considered requests for waivers from 
Argentina (G/L/693) and Israel (G/L/687) for th e introduction of Harmonized System 1996 changes 
into schedules of tariff concession, and related draft decisions in documents G/C/W/493 and 492 
respectively.   In the absence of the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods, and on the latter's request 
and behalf, the Chairman reported on the consid eration of these requests by the Goods Council. 
  The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decisions (WT/L/590 – Argentina and WT/L/589 – Israel). 
 
(b) Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions (WT/GC/M/85, 90) 
 At its meeting on 11 February 2004
, the General Council considered a draft decision 
(G/C/W/477) to waive obligations under Article II of GATT 1994 for Members listed in the Annex to 
the draft decision with regard to the introducti on of HS2002 changes into WTO schedules of tariff 
concessions. 
  The Chairman of the Council for Trade in G oods reported on the consid eration of the draft 
decision by that Council. WT/GC/86 
Page 16  
 
  The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decision (WT/L/562).   At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered a draft decision 
(G/C/W/500/Rev.1) to waive obligations under Ar ticle II of GATT 1994 for Members listed in the 
Annex to the draft decision with regard to the introduction of HS2002 changes into WTO schedules of 
tariff concessions.   The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the Council's consideration of 
this matter. 
  The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decision (WT/L/598). 
 
(c) Senegal – Request for waiver on minimum va lues in regard to the Agreement on the 
Implementation of Article V II of GATT 1994 (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the General Council consider ed a request from Senegal 
for a waiver on minimum values in regard to the Customs Valuation Agreement (G/C/W/390), and a 
related draft decision in document G/C/W/488. 
 
 The Chairman of the Council for Trade in G oods reported on that Council's consideration of 
this request.   The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decision (WT/L/571).  (d) Albania – Implementation of specific commitments in telecommunications services – Request 
for a waiver (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the General Council consider ed a request from Albania 
for a waiver regarding the implementation of specific commitments in telecommunications services, 
and a draft decision annexed to document S/C/21.   The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Serv ices reported on that Council's consideration of 
this request. 
 
 The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decision (WT/L/567).  (e) Review of waivers pursuant to Article IX:4  of the WTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/87, 90) 
 Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement "[a]ny  waiver granted for a period of more than 
one year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conf erence not later than one year after it is granted, 
and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates."   At its meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the General Council considered the following 
waivers for review under Article IX:4: 
  WT/GC/86 
 Page 17 
 
 
 (i) El Salvador – Agreement on Implem entation of Article VII of GATT 1994 
(WT/L/476) 
(ii) LDCs – Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement with respect to pharmaceutical 
products (WT/L/478) 
(iii) Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least-Developed Countries (WT/L/304) 
(iv) Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds (WT/L/518) 
 
The Chairman recalled, with regard to the wa iver in sub-item (ii) for LDCs under the TRIPS 
Agreement, that in connection with the approval of  this draft waiver at the meeting of the TRIPS 
Council in June 2002, the Chairman of the TRIPS C ouncil had noted that it was understood, in regard 
to the review foreseen in paragraph 2 of that waiv er, that the exceptional circumstances justifying the 
waiver would continue to exist for least-devel oped country Members until its expiry date of 
1 January 2016. 
 The representatives of Tanzania (on beha lf of the LDCs) and Sri Lanka spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements  and that the General Council would revert to 
the review of multi-year waivers pursuant to Article  IX:4 of the WTO Agreement at its meeting in 
December.   At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered the 
following waivers for review under Article IX:4: 
 
(i) United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act  (WT/L/104) 
 (ii) Canada – CARIBCAN (WT/L/185)  (iii) United States – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (WT/L/183)  (iv) EC – Autonomous preferential treatment  to the countries of the Western Balkans 
(WT/L/380) 
 (v) EC – Transitional regime for the EC autonomous tariff rate quotas on imports of 
bananas (WT/L/437) 
 (vi) EC – The ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (WT/L/436)  (vii) Cuba – Article XV:6 of GATT 1994 (WT/L/440)   
 In so doing, the General Council considered reports on the implementation of the waivers 
submitted by Canada (WT/L/595), Cu ba (WT/L/592), European Co mmunities (WT/L/596 and 597) 
and the United States (WT/L/593 and 594 ).   The representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador and Honduras spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statemen ts and of reports contained in documents 
WT/L/592 through 597.  
8. Coherence in global economic policy-making  and cooperation between the WTO, IMF 
and World Bank (WT/GC/M/89) 
 At its meeting on 22 October 2004
, the General Council held a discussion on coherence in 
global economic policy-making and cooperation between the WTO, IMF and World Bank focussing on strengthening cooperation among the three organizati ons, particularly in respect of technical and 
financial support for the Doha Work Programme a nd its implementation.  The General Council had 
before it a Note prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the IMF and the World Bank 
(WT/TF/COH/S/9). 
 WT/GC/86 
Page 18  
 
  The President of the World Bank, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund 
and the Director-General made statements.   The representatives of Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group), United States, Brazil, 
Tanzania (on behalf of the LDCs), Japan, Ch ina, European Communities, Djibouti, Bangladesh, 
Chile, Canada, Morocco, Benin, Pakistan, Jamaica,  Paraguay, Switzerland, Nepal, Mexico, Cuba, 
Egypt, Bolivia, Sri Lanka and H ong Kong, China and the representatives of the IMF and the World 
Bank, and the Director-General and the Chairman spoke.  
9. Trade financing for developing countri es during periods of financial crisis 
(WT/GC/M/85) 
 At the General Council meeting on 11 February 2004
, the Director-General reported on a 
meeting convened by the IMF shortly after the General Council meeting in  May 2003 on Coherence 
in Global Economic Policy-Making and Cooperati on between the WTO, IMF and World Bank to 
consider how lines of credit for trade financing might best be maintained in periods of crisis.  The 
same expert group had met again in January 20 04 to exchange ideas on how the WTO might 
contribute to improving the access of developing c ountries to more plentiful and secure sources of 
trade financing.  This joint initiative with the IMF had been valuable, and it was important that 
Members had the opportunity to discuss the matter furt her.  He believed it would be useful for the 
General Council Chairman to c onsult with Members on where they thought it would be most 
worthwhile to hold further discussions on this matter. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statement.  
10. Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finan ce – Statement by the Chairman of the 
Working Group on the availability of trade finance for developing countries 
(WT/GC/M/87) 
 At its meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the Chairman of the Working Group on Trade, 
Debt and Finance informed the General Council abou t Members' discussion of the "trade financing" 
theme at the Working Group's meeting on 13 May, and of the further meetings foreseen for the Working Group in 2004.   
 The General Council took note of the statement by the Chairman of the Working Group. 
 
11. Trade Integration Mechanism of the Intern ational Monetary Fund – Presentation by the 
Acting Managing-Director of the IMF (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At its meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the General Council heard a presentation by the Acting 
Managing-Director of the IMF on the Fund's Trade Integration Mechanism initiative, which aimed to 
mitigate the concerns of some Members that impl ementation of WTO Agreements by others might 
give rise to temporary balance-of-payments shortfalls.   The representatives of Mauritius, Japan, Bangl adesh, Kenya, United States, China, Canada, 
Chile, Jamaica, Colombia and the European Comm unities, and the Acting Managing-Director of the 
IMF, the Director-General and the Chairman spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the statements.   WT/GC/86 
 Page 19 
 
 
 12. Graduation of the Maldives from the UN list of Least-Developed Countries 
(WT/GC/M/85) 
 At the General Council m eeting on 11 February 2004 , the representative of the Maldives 
raised the issue of its graduation from the UN lis t of least-developed countries, which was being 
discussed at the relevant UN bodies, and which was likely to affect the Maldives' trade as well as the 
technical and financial assistance it received in a number of trade and related areas.  His delegation 
wished these issues to be taken up in appropriate WTO bodies at appropriate times.   The representative of Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDCs) spoke.  
 The General Council took note of the statements. 
 
13. Statement by Cuba (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At the General Council meeting on 17-18 May 2004
, the representative of Cuba expressed 
concern at measures imposed by the United Stat es against Cuba, which she said violated the 
principles and objectives of the WTO, adversely a ffected the credibility of the multilateral trading 
system and infringed upon Cuba's rights, as well as encroaching on those of other Members of the Organization.   The representatives of China and Venezuela spoke.  
 The General Council took note of the statements. 
 
14. Enlargement of the European Union 
(a) Claims of interest of Ecuador and negotiations  for the enlargement of  the European Union 
(WT/GC/M/87) 
 At the General Council meeti ng on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the representative of Ecuador, 
referring to a notification by the European Commun ities concerning the enlargement of the European 
Union (G/SECRET/20), said that Ecuador had subm itted within the 90 days provided for in the 
Procedures for Negotiations under Article XXVIII  of GATT 1994 claims of interest regarding 
Ecuadorian export products include d in Schedule CLX of the Community.  The Community had not 
yet recognized Ecuador's claims of interest and, in  compliance with paragraph 4 of the Procedures for 
Negotiations under Article XXVIII of GATT 1994, Ec uador was now referring this matter to the 
General Council.   The General Council took note of the statement.  
(b) Communication from the European Communities (WT/GC/M/88) 
 At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the Chairman drew attention to a 
communication from the European Communities (G /L/695) regarding accession to the European 
Union on 1 May 2004 of ten new members, in which the Community had indicated that it would not assert that WTO Members who had submitted a cl aim pursuant to Article XXIV:6 of GATT 1994 
were precluded from withdrawing substantially equivalent concessions under Article XXVIII:3 of 
GATT 1994 because this withdrawal occurred later th an six months after the EC's withdrawal of 
concessions, provided that the claiming Member withdr ew concessions not later than 12 months after 
the Community's modification of concessions.  WT/GC/86 
Page 20  
 
  In the absence of the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods, and on the latter's request 
and behalf, the Chairman reported that on 1 Oct ober the Goods Council had agreed on the extension 
of the deadline for withdrawal of concessions unde r Article XXVIII:3 from six months to 12 months, 
as set out in the Community's communication, and had forwarded this agreement to the General 
Council for adoption. 
 
 The representatives of Philippines, Indonesia,  China and the European Communities spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the stat ements and of the communication from the 
Community in G/L/695, and adopted the agreement reached in the Goods Council on the extension of 
the deadline for the withdrawal of concessions re ferred to in Article XXVIII:3 of GATT 1994 from 
six months to 12 months following the EC's modification of concessions.  
15. Non-recognition of rights under Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of GATT 1994 – 
Communication from Honduras and Guatemala (WT/GC/M/90) 
At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council considered the question of non-
recognition of rights for the processes under Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of GATT 1994 in connection with the enlargement of the EC, which had been placed on the Agenda at the request of 
Honduras and Guatemala.  
The representatives of Honduras, Guatemala,  Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, 
European Communities, Panama, Jamaica and Philippines spoke. 
  The Chairman proposed, in the light of the views expressed, that he reflect on how best to 
proceed on this matter and on the way forward in c onsultation with delegations, and that the General 
Council revert to this matter at its next meeting as appropriate. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements and so agreed. 
 
16. Draft UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Content and 
Artistic Expressions (WT/GC/M/88) 
 At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the representative of Australia, recalling 
that earlier in the month the Director-General had written to all Permanent Representatives informing 
them of an approach from UNESCO's Director-Gen eral seeking the WTO's views on a draft Cultural 
Diversity Convention currently under consideration in that organization, said it would be helpful if the 
Director-General or the Chairman could organi ze an informal meeting of Heads of Delegation 
interested in exchanging views on the draft Conven tion and its relationship to the WTO, to which a 
representative of UNESCO would be invited. 
  The representatives of Canada, China, Singapor e, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Argentina, 
Cuba, Jamaica, Benin, Chile, New Zealand, Eur opean Communities, Uruguay, United States, Djibouti 
and the Democratic Republic of Congo spoke.  
 The Chairman said he had taken note of the pr oposal by Australia, which had been supported 
by a number of delegations, as well as of the many  other statements.  He would discuss the proposal 
with the Director-General, to whom the letter fro m UNESCO had been addressed, to see how best to 
proceed on the basis of this suggestion, and would be in touch with Members. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements. 
  WT/GC/86 
 Page 21 
 
 
 17. Digital archiving of GATT official do cuments and certain GATT internal records 
(WT/GC/M/88) 
 At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004 , the Director-General said that, as 
touched on in an Information Note by the Secret ariat on the digital archiving of GATT official 
documents and certain GATT internal records in a collaborative project between Stanford University 
Libraries and the WTO Secretariat (WT/GC/INF/3), two issues in particular warranted Members' 
attention, namely, the question of the digital preser vation of GATT official documents in Spanish and 
French, and the question of GATT official documents  which still remained restricted.  He invited 
Members interested in this topic to, in the first in stance, contact the Director of the Office of the 
Director-General, and said that the Secretariat was considering how to arrange some consultations on 
this matter. 
  The General Council  took note of the statement.  
18. 10
th Anniversary of the WTO  (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004 , the Director-General made a 
statement in connection with his recent communicati on to Members regarding the 10th Anniversary of 
the WTO in 2005. 
 The General Council took note of the statement. 
 19. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (WT/GC/M/87) 
 At its meeting on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the General Council considered a report of the 
Joint Advisory Group of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its Thirty-seventh Session 
(ITC/AG(XXXVII)/200).  
 The Chairman recalled that, in keeping with  customary practice, this report had been 
considered initially by the Committee on Trade and Development at its meeting on 11 May.   The Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Development reported on the Committee's 
consideration of the report of the Joint Advisory Group.  
 The representatives of the United States, Pakistan, Djibouti, Benin, Uganda, Zambia and 
Guinea spoke.   The General Council took note of the statements  and adopted the report of the Joint Advisory 
Group in ITC/AG(XXXVII)/200. 
 
20. WTO Pension Plan  
(a) Management Board 
 Article 4(a) of the Regulations of the WTO Pension Plan
7 provides, inter alia , for the election 
by the General Council of a Chairman, four member s and four alternates of the Management Board, 
each for a three-year term. 
 
                                                      
7 WT/L/282. WT/GC/86 
Page 22  
 
 (i) Election of Chairperson (WT/GC/M/86) 
 At the General Council m eeting on 17 and 18 May 2004
, the Chairman drew attention to a 
proposal circulated by him in document WT/GC/W/529, on the basis of which he proposed that the General Council agree to elect Mr. Collins-Williams (Canada) as Chairman of the Management Board 
of the WTO Pension Plan for a period of three y ears, to replace Mr. Jóhannesson (Iceland) whose 
term expired in May. 
  The General Council so agreed.   The Chairman then noted that since Mr. Collins-Williams was already a member of the 
Management Board, it would be necessary to elect  a replacement member of the Management Board 
and that he intended to propose such a replaceme nt at the next meeting of the General Council. 
  The General Council took note of the statement.  (ii) Election of member (WT/GC/M/87) 
 At the General Council meeti ng on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the Chairman drew attention 
to a proposal circulated by him in document WT/G C/W/532 on the basis of which he proposed that 
the General Council agree to elect Mr. Niggli (Swit zerland) as a member of the Management Board of 
the WTO Pension Plan until July 2005, to repl ace Mr. Collins-Williams (Canada) who had been 
elected Chairman of the Management Board. 
 
 The General Council so agreed.  (b) Annual Report (WT/GC/M/88) 
 At its meeting on 20 October 2004
, the General Council consider ed an Annual Report of the 
Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan for 2003 (WT/L/583). 
  The Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan Management Board introduced the report. 
   The General Council took note of the statement and of the Annual Report of the Management 
Board for 2003 in WT/L/583. 
 
(c) Agreement on the Transfer of Pension Rights of Participants in the United Nations Joint Staff 
Pension Fund and of Participants in the WTO Pension Plan (WT/GC/M/88) 
 In December 2000, the General Council expressed  its concurrence with the text of a WTO 
Pension Plan – United Nations Joint Staff Pensi on Fund transfer agreement (WT/GC/W/536) which 
had been approved by the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan under Article 10 of the 
Regulations of the Plan.    At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan 
Management Board informed Members that, followi ng a review of the transfer agreement by the 
secretariats of both pension schemes, a revised tr ansfer agreement (WT/GC/W/536) had been drawn 
up which resolved the difficulties associated with th e first agreement whilst protecting the interests of 
both schemes.   WT/GC/86 
 Page 23 
 
 
  The General Council took note of the statemen t and concurred with the revised transfer 
agreement.8 
 
21. Observer status - Iraq (WT/GC/M/85) 
 At its meeting on 11 February 2004 , the General Council considered a request from Iraq for 
observer status in the General Council and its subsidiary bodies (WT/L/560). 
  The General Council agreed to grant Iraq's request.   The representative of Iraq (as an observer), Ca nada, United States, Australia, Japan, European 
Communities, Korea, India and China spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the statements.  
22. Appointment of the next Director-General (WT/GC/M/88) 
 At the General Council meeting on 20 October 2004
, the Chairman informed Members that 
under the Procedures for the Appointment of Direct ors-General adopted by the General Council in 
December 2002 (WT/L/509), the process for the appoi ntment of the next Director-General would 
begin on 1 December 2004, and that in line with th e agreed Procedures he would formally notify the 
opening of the process in a communication to all Members at that time.  He then recalled some of the time-lines for the appointment process as set out in the Procedures of December 2002. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statement.  
23. Appointment of Officers to WTO bodies a nd review of Chairmanships of bodies under 
the TNC (WT/GC/M/85, 87
9, 8810, 9011) 
 At the General Council m eeting on 11 February 2004 , the Chairman said that in accordance 
with the Guidelines for appointment of officers to WTO bodies approved by the General Council in 
December 2002 (WT/L/510), he and his colleagues, Mr . Oshima (Japan), the serving DSB Chair, and 
Mr. Marchi (Canada), the former General Council Ch air, had conducted consu ltations on this matter, 
on the basis of which he considered that there wa s a consensus on the following slate of names with 
respect to the appointments to WTO bodies other than those under the TNC: 
 
General Council  Mr. Shotaro OSHIMA (Japan) 
Dispute Settlement Body 
 Ms. Amina MOHAMED (Kenya) 
Trade Policy Review Body 
 Mrs. Puangrat ASAVAPISIT (Thailand) 
Council for Trade in Goods 
 Mr. Alfredo CHIARADIA (Argentina) 
                                                     
 
8 Subsequently circulated as WT/L/588. 
 9 Carried in the minutes as "Chairmanships of the TRIPS Council and of the Working Group on Trade 
and Transfer of Technology." 
 10 Carried in the minutes as "Appointment of offi cers to certain WTO bodies – Statement by the 
Chairman." 
 11 Carried in the minutes as "Appointment of officers to WTO bodies – Announcement by the 
Chairman Pursuant to Paragraph 7.1(a) of the Guidelines (WT/L/510)." 
 WT/GC/86 
Page 24  
 
 Council for Trade in Services 
 Mr. Peter BRNO (Slovak Republic) 
Council for TRIPS 
 Mr. Joshua LAW (Hong Kong, China) 
Committee on Trade and  
  Environment 
 Mrs. Naéla GABR (Egypt) 
Committee on Trade and 
  Development  Mr. Trevor CLARKE (Barbados) 
Committee on Balance-of- 
  Payments Restrictions  Mr. Giulio TONINI (Italy) 
Committee on Regional Trade  
  Agreements 
 Mr. Ronald SABORÍO SOTO (Costa Rica) 
Committee on Budget, Finance  
  and  Administration  Mr. Henrik Rée IVERSEN (Denmark) 
Working Group on Trade and  
  Transfer of Technology 
 Mr. Jaynarain MEETOO (Mauritius) 
Working Group on Trade, Debt 
  and Finance  Mr. Péter BALÁS (Hungary) 
  
 As to chairmanships of bodies under the TNC, the Chairman said that on the basis of the 
consultations, he considered there w as a consensus on the following slate: 
 
Negotiating Group on   Market Access  Mr. Stefán JÓHANNESSON (Iceland) 
 
Negotiating Group on Rules 
 Mr. Eduardo PÉREZ MOTTA (Mexico) 
 
Special Session of the  
  Council for Trade in Services  Mr. Alejandro JARA (Chile) 
Special Session of the  
  Council for TRIPS 
 Mr. Manzoor AHMAD (Pakistan) 
Special Session of the   
  Dispute Settlement Body  Mr. David SPENCER (Australia) 
Special Session of the  
  Committee on Agriculture 
 Mr. Tim GROSER (New Zealand) 
Special Session of the  
  Committee on Trade and     Environment  Mr. Toufiq ALI (Bangladesh)  WT/GC/86 
 Page 25 
 
 
 Special Session of the  
  Committee on Trade and    Development Mr. Faizel ISMAIL (South Africa) 
 
 
 With regard to the duration of the appointm ents for the bodies under the TNC, the Chairman 
proposed that in keeping with th e term of office for the previous appointees, which had been 
established by the TNC at its first meeting in Janua ry and February 2002, these Chairpersons be 
invited to serve until the Sixth Session of the Ministerial Conference.    The representative of Bulgaria and the Chairman spoke. 
 
 The General Council took note of the statements  and of the consensus on the slate of names 
for the appointment of officers.   The representatives of the United States and th e European Communities, and the Chairman of 
the Council for Trade in Goods, the Chairman of th e Council for Trade in Services and the Chairman 
spoke.  
The General Council took note of the statements. 
  At the General Council meeti ng on 27 July and 1 August 2004
, the Chairman informed 
Members that Mr. Law (Hong Kong, China), Chairman of the TRIPS Council, and Mr. Meetoo 
(Mauritius), Chairman of the Working Group on Trad e and Transfer of Technology, would soon be 
leaving their posts as heads of their delegations in Geneva.  As the appointments for the Chairpersons 
of these bodies were made following consultations by  the Chairman of the General Council, he had 
already begun considering possible names in informal  contacts with delegations and aimed to be able 
to propose names for these appointment s to all delegations very soon. 
  The General Council took note of this information.   At the General Council on 20 October 2004
, the Chairman said that he had been holding 
consultations regarding the appointment of officer s to certain WTO bodies, following which he had 
informed delegations at an informal open-ended me eting of Heads of Delegation on 7 October of the 
emerging consensus around a set of names, and that this list had met with the concurrence of the membership at that meeting.  In the light of this, and as required under the July Council Decision in WT/L/579, the TNC on 12 October had establishe d the Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation and 
had appointed Mr. Noor (Malaysia) as its Chairman .  He then informed the General Council of the 
consensus on the list of names for appointments to the other bodies on which he had been consulting, 
as follows:  Negotiating Group on Rules – Mr. Vall es Galmés (Uruguay);  Council for TRIPS – Mr. 
Miller (Hong Kong, China);  Council for Trade in Goods – Mr. Choi (Korea);  Working Group on 
Trade and Transfer of Technology – Mr. Chipaziwa (Zimbabwe).   The General Council took note of the statement and of the consensus on the list of names. 
 
 At the General Council meeting on 13 December 2004
, the Chairman announced, pursuant to 
the Guidelines for Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies agreed in December 2002 (WT/L/510), 
that he would be starting the selection process for the appointment of chairpersons to the bodies outlined in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Annex to th e Guidelines.  As Member s were aware, the three 
working groups on the Singapore issues were inactiv e at this time and he would therefore not be 
consulting regarding their chairpersons.  In accordan ce with Paragraph 7.1(b) of the Guidelines, he 
would be assisted in the selection process by the ser ving Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body, 
Ms. Mohamed (Kenya).  In keeping with pa ragraph 7.1(d), he a nd Ms. Mohamed would WT/GC/86 
Page 26  
 
 communicate, as early as possible, a specified time-per iod in which they would be available to hear 
the views and suggestions of Members, individually and/or in groups.   The General Council took note of the statement.  24. Review of WTO activities (WT/GC/M/90) 
 At its meeting on 13 December 2004
, the General Council conduc ted a review of WTO 
activities in pursuance of the Decision concerning procedures for the overview of WTO activities and 
for reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105).  In so doing, the General Council considered annual 
reports for 2004 from WTO bodies. 
 
 The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods and the Chairman spoke.   The General Council took note of the statements, adopted the report of the Committee on Trade and Development (WT/COMTD/50), and took note of the reports of the other WTO bodies, 
including the reports of the bodies under the Pl urilateral Trade Agreements, in documents 
WT/DSB/37 and Add.1, WT/TPR/154, G/L/721 and Add.1, S/C/22, IP/C/32, WT/CTE/11, 
WT/BOP/R/74, WT/BFA/74, WT/REG/14, Corr.1 and Corr.1/Rev.1, WT/WGTDF/3, WT/WGTTT/6, GPA/82 and WT/L/591.   The General Council then adopted the draft report of the General Council (WT/GC/W/538), 
on the understanding that the Secretariat would make the necessary adjustments to it so as to include 
matters considered at that meeting.  
 
25. Election of Chairperson (WT/GC/M/85) 
 At the General Council meeting on 11 February 2004
, the Chairman, as the outgoing 
presiding officer of the General Council, made a brief statement. 
  The General Council then unanimously elected  Mr. S. Oshima (Japan) to the Chair. 
  The representatives of Costa Rica, China, Mauritius (on behalf of the African Group), Pakistan, Philippines (on behalf of the ASEAN Memb ers), Argentina, Paraguay, Venezuela, and the 
Director-General and the newly-elected Chairman spoke. 
  The General Council took note of the statements.  
__________